U.S. diplomat denounces China for pressing maritime claims through intimidation

The top American diplomat for East Asia and the Pacific has said China is using intimidation to make other countries agree with its claims in the South China Sea.

Daniel Kritenbrink talked to reporters after coming back to the United States from meetings in Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam and Brunei. He used the trip to show that the US is committed to making sure all countries respect freedom to travel by sea and air and solve conflicts peacefully.

“He said that China is doing things in the South China Sea that break international laws and scare other countries. This is not okay and it makes things more unstable,” said Kritenbrink, who works for the US government and deals with issues in East Asia and the Pacific.

China says that the South China Sea belongs to them, but other countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei disagree. They are arguing about who owns the area. It is getting more and more aggressive by being in the ocean where there are lots of resources and a lot of activity. Kritenbrink made his comments at the same time when a Chinese coast guard ship hit a Philippine patrol vessel at sea.

The fighting on Tuesday at Second Thomas Shoal, which is controlled by the Philippines, is the most recent in a series of clashes in the disputed waters. People are worried that this could lead to a bigger fight between China and the U.S and its friends.

“The United States” often sends warships through the Taiwan Strait and does naval exercises in the South China Sea and other areas as allowed by international law. This shows that all countries have the same rights. The strategy also included helping make sure that its partners can defend their own independence and their own interests, he said.

He said that if we do that, we increase our chances of avoiding mistakes and fighting, and once again, bringing peace and stability.

In Beijing, on Thursday, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi blamed the U.S Causing problems in Taiwan and the ocean near China, without saying the specific place.

“We will only take action in response to unfair actions,” Wang told the media. We recommend that countries outside the area do not create problems, take sides or cause trouble in the South China Sea.

Aside from talking about safety, Kritenbrink said he also talked with officials in the area about money, the environment, energy rules, and other topics.

I met with the new Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Manet, and I brought up the U.S Worries about China being part of making the Ream Naval Base bigger. The project started under Hun Sen’s strict father, Hun Manet. Last year, Hun Manet became the new prime minister after Hun Sen.

Cambodia says its constitution doesn’t allow foreign military bases, but two Chinese navy ships parked there in December. The place on the Gulf of Thailand could help China to get to the Malacca Strait, which is very important for them.

“Many countries, including the United States, are very worried about the building happening at Ream Naval Base and the involvement of China’s military in it. “

He didn’t say how Hun Manet reacted to the worries, but he said that in general “we had a very useful and honest conversation. ”

During his trip to Southeast Asia, Kritenbrink tried to tell officials that even though there are big problems in Gaza and Ukraine, the U.S still cares about them too. still dedicated to the area.

“He said that even though there are many problems around the world, the United States is very focused on the Indo-Pacific region. ”

He said that this place is very important and many important things will happen here in the future. It will also be important for America’s safety and wealth.